Outdoor dining at Barrel & Bushel in Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Speed Cameras Proposed on GW Parkway — Rep. Don Beyer plans to introduce legislation in January to allow speed cameras on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, particularly around the Belle View Road and Belle Haven Blvd intersections, which remain “confusing and dangerous” despite previous changes. Design work is underway on a road diet and other improvements in the corridor. [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Task Force Returns From Hurricane Relief — “VA-TF1 has been demobilized by @fema after supporting the local response in Florida & North Carolina for Hurricane Helene.” The urban search and rescue team was expected to return to its base in Chantilly after 7:30 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday). [VA-TF1/Twitter]

New Details in Herndon Double Murder Case — Fairfax County police believe Brendan Banfield’s mother helped pass along messages to Juliana Peres Magalhaes after the au pair was arrested and charged with murder, according to a search warrant affidavit. Banfield is also accused of murder after his wife was stabbed and a stranger shot at his home. [NBC4]

Fire Station Construction Prolonged — “Construction of the Fort Buffalo Station Fire on Sleepy Hollow Road in Seven Corners is nearly completed, but it’s not expected to open until February due to a construction problem.” Delivery of the apparatus bay’s front doors has been delayed by a change in manufacturer. [Annandale Today]

Reston VC Firm to Create National Security Fund — “Venture capital firm Razor’s Edge Ventures aims to raise a half-billion dollars — its largest fund to date — to invest in companies developing national security technology, an area of increasing interest to investors. The company indicated the $500 million goal for its fourth fund in an Oct. 1 Securities and Exchange Commission.” [Washington Business Journal]

Volunteers Tackle Invasive Plants Along GW Parkway — “National Park Service officials say that 29 percent of the parkway’s plants are invasive, not native to the area. Local volunteers with the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail and others work regularly, trying to manage these plants, but it’s a daunting task.” [On the MoVe]

Springfield Neighborhood Built by Students — “Spring Village Estates in Springfield may look like many other Fairfax County neighborhoods … But for those in the know, one thing makes the neighborhood stand out: It was built with the help of high school students” under a partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and the Foundation for Applied Technical Education. [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Springfield Town Center Hosts Fall Festival — “Join us for the Springfield Town Center Fall Fest on Saturday, October 19th from 11 AM-5 PM in the parking lot next to the Macy’s Parking Garage. This family-friendly event allows you to stroll through the dozens of fun exhibitors outdoors while enjoying various fall activities including pumpkin decorating, live music, a DJ, character performances, a magic show, and much more.” [Springfield Town Center]

It’s Thursday — Expect sunny skies and a high of around 58 degrees with north winds from 7 to 11 mph and gusts up to 18 mph. For Thursday night, clear conditions will continue, along with a low of approximately 42 degrees, accompanied by northwest winds at about 7 mph. [NWS]


Countywide

Fairfax County Public Schools leaders don’t appear to be losing sleep over three of the district’s nearly 200 schools failing to meet full accreditation standards.

While 192 county schools have been fully accredited for this school year by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Justice High School in Lake Barcroft and Sandburg and Whitman middle schools in Fort Hunt and Hybla Valley, respectively, were rated “accredited with conditions” due to shortcomings in reported student achievement levels.


Around Town

The convenience store chain 7-Eleven will be slightly less ubiquitous by the end of 2024.

The store inside Tysons Corner Center closed permanently on Sept. 23, a mall spokesperson recently confirmed to FFXnow. More closures may be coming in the weeks ahead, as 7-Eleven plans to shutter 444 “underperforming” locations across North America.


Robinson at One University

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Each apartment home features wood-style flooring, modern two-tone cabinetry, granite countertops, GE Energy Star® appliances and in-home washer/dryer. Located near George Mason University, major employers, and extensive shopping, dining, and entertainment options, our location promises an unmatched living experience.

With amenities like a fully equipped fitness center, a cozy club room for gatherings, a pet spa, BBQ area, tot lot, and picturesque gardens and green spaces, Robinson at One University is the perfect place to call home. Explore our pet-friendly community today. Schedule a tour now and embrace a competitively priced lifestyle of comfort and convenience!

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*Conditions apply, subject to change, ask for details. **This is just a guide as to whether or not you might qualify, additional information/documentation is required.


News

Vienna’s plan to build a public aquatics and fitness center has already secured one major backer.

Navy Federal Credit Union — the town’s largest employer with 5,100 people working at its corporate headquarters (820 Follin Lane) — has offered to provide funding for the facility’s design, the Town of Vienna announced last Thursday (Oct. 10).


Countywide

Fairfax County voters will soon have more options for casting their ballot ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.

The county is set to open 13 more in-person early voting sites tomorrow (Thursday), bringing the total number of sites up to 16. The Fairfax County, Mount Vernon and North County government centers have been available since Sept. 20.


A tree provides cover for a bench at the athletic fields outside Great Falls Library (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

New D.C. Pandas Land at Dulles Airport — A FedEx plane carrying two pandas destined for the National Zoo in D.C. touched down at Dulles International Airport shortly before 10 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday). Now in a 30-day quarantine, Bao Li and Qing Bao will make their public debuts on Jan. 24, with Zoo members getting a sneak peek earlier in January. [NBC4]

Local Cafe’s Pumpkin-Shaped Bagels Go Viral — “Pumpkin-shaped bagels have taken the internet by storm. And the trendsetter is no other than Northern Virginia’s Bobby’s Bagel Cafe … The viral treat is available at the shop’s Herndon, Oakton, and Reston locations. Customers need to preorder their bagels two to three days in advance due to high demand.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Community College Teachers Challenge President — “Faculty of Northern Virginia Community College, the second-largest community college in the nation, gave the president an overwhelming ‘no confidence’ vote. In a draft statement organized by the 9-Month Teaching Faculty Caucus Executive Committee, members outlined their concerns with Anne Kress, Ph.D., who has been serving as president of the school since 2020, along with Vice President Eun-Woo Chang.” [Fairfax County Times]

FCPS Seeks Boundary Review Committee Members — “As part of its community engagement plan, FCPS is accepting applications until Oct. 18 for its Boundary Review Advisory Committee,” which will meet biweekly to provide feedback on “potential future school boundary changes.” A consultant recently launched a systemwide review that’s expected to wrap up in January 2026. [On the MoVe]

Asian Restaurant in Vienna to Close — “The family-run Asian fusion restaurant Mixx Delight will be looking for a new location after just opening last year in Vienna. In a social media post, the Tran family said the Vienna location at 448 Maple Ave. E. will close ‘due to unforeseen circumstances.’ The Vienna location will be open until Nov. 17.” [Patch]

Hunter Mill Coat Drive Launches — The Reston nonprofit Cornerstones launched its annual Winter Coat Closet donation drive yesterday, accepting new or gently used heavy winter coats as well as new hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves through Nov. 8. Donations can be dropped off at 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday to Friday. [Hunter Mill District Office]

Retired Supervisor Honored With Tree Planting — “Fairfax County leaders honored former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross by planting a tree … at Mason District Park on Oct. 11. The Roots of Leadership event focused on Gross’s key role in establishing the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ regional tree canopy goal.” [Annandale Today]

Affordable Housing Developments Win Awards — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is the recipient of several recent national awards, recognizing its leadership, innovation and equitable strategies in affordable housing.” Awards went to the Residences at North Hill, which opened last year, and One University near George Mason University’s Fairfax campus. [FCRHA]

It’s Wednesday — The forecast shows sunny skies and a high temperature near 56, accompanied by a northwest wind blowing at 8 to 11 mph with gusts reaching 20 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with the temperature dropping to around 40 degrees. [NWS]


Countywide

Fairfax County has a new policy that could lead to the prosecution of individuals who were removed from the voter rolls after being identified as possible non-citizens.

The move comes after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a new executive order in August directing the Virginia Department of Elections to update the voter rolls by removing deceased individuals, felons, those deemed mentally incapacitated and non-citizens before the general election on Nov. 5.


News

A project to build a wastewater pump station project for McLean and eastern Tysons got off to an inauspicious start last week when a lack of community outreach forced the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to postpone a scheduled public hearing.

The board authorized the hearing in September to get testimony on whether the county should exercise its eminent domain powers to acquire the land rights to a residential property at 1310 Scotts Run Road in McLean — the site chosen for the future pump station.


Countywide

Some last-minute heartburn over the details led the Fairfax County Planning Commission to defer a series of votes last week that would have advanced the county government’s plans for redeveloping its judicial complex.

After a public hearing last Wednesday (Oct. 9), Providence District Commissioner Jeremy Hancock ultimately pulled back his initial proposal to recommend approval of the submitted plans for the 48.2-acre judicial and public-safety compound surrounded by the City of Fairfax.


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